24 Short Career Programs That Lead to High-Paying Jobs

By Publisher
| Last Updated October 21, 2024

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Is it possible to get a job that pays well without spending four or more years at a traditional college or university?

The answer is yes. Many trade schools and colleges offer short career programs that can prepare you for a professional role that pays well. Plenty of high-paying jobs with little schooling compete favorably with those that require a bachelor's degree or higher. Many people choose to bypass that longer path and still end up with some of America's highest-paying jobs and out-earn many four-year college graduates. Areas like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades are full of opportunities.

It takes a broader view of your educational options and the enthusiasm to learn what skills are needed in the marketplace. Let this article introduce you to a world of fast careers that pay well. The opportunities for short career programs with just two years or less of trade school or vocational training can be surprising.

Read on to learn how to prepare for the highest-paying jobs without a degree.

• High-Paying Jobs With Little Schooling Required
  • Skilled Trades
  • Healthcare
  • Technology
  • More Great Careers
• The Trouble With Many Conventional Degrees
• Maximize Your ROI

High-Paying Jobs With Little Schooling Required

You'll find some of the best-paying careers requiring little schooling in the following list. For many, all you need is a simple two-year associate degree. A months-long diploma or certificate program is often enough to get into some of the fastest careers. Keep in mind that what you can earn might vary depending on which part of the country you work in and how much experience you have.

Skilled Trades

1. Aircraft Mechanic

Learning the exciting trade of repairing and maintaining airplanes or helicopters can be accomplished through an aviation school's short, FAA-approved aircraft maintenance training.

• Median pay: $75,020
• Top pay: $114,750 or more

2. Electrician

Training at an electrician trade school and a short apprenticeship are usually enough to enter this trade, letting you wire buildings for electrical power and communications.

• Median pay: $61,590
• Top pay: $104,180 or more

3. Plumber/Pipefitter/Steamfitter

With a short amount of formal plumbing trade school or apprenticeship training, you can specialize in installing and repairing pipes and related equipment.

• Median pay: $61,550
• Top pay: $103,140 or more

4. HVAC Technician

These tradespeople install, maintain, and repair the systems that heat and cool our homes, businesses, and other buildings. A short program at an HVAC trade school can prepare you to become an HVAC technician in 8 to 24 months.

• Median pay: $57,300
• Top pay: $84,250 or more

5. Construction Equipment Operator

This skilled trade involves controlling large construction machinery to build roads or major structures. Businesses are often willing to train workers on the job, but formal heavy equipment training could give you an edge in securing a good job.

• Median pay: $55,270
• Top pay: $94,800 or more

6. Welder

Manufacturing, construction, and fabrication usually require welding. Most welders work in the manufacturing sector but are also employed in various other industries. The typical way to enter the welding trade is by completing formal welding training, getting certified, and continuing to learn while on the job. By combining classroom education and on-the-job training, employers and unions sometimes offer the opportunity to earn money while learning through a welding apprenticeship.

• Median pay: $48,940
• Top pay: $72,970 or more

7. Diesel Mechanic

In this automotive trade, the focus is on inspecting, repairing, or overhauling large vehicles with diesel engines such as trucks, buses, and rolling machinery used in mining or construction. Diesel mechanic training is offered at vocational and trade schools, and usually nine to 24 months to complete.

• Median pay: $58,970
• Top pay: $82,430 or more

8. Automotive Technician

Formal automotive training can prepare you to become a respected technician in an exciting and challenging field. You must complete an apprenticeship or a post-secondary program to become a mechanic. Many vocational schools offer auto mechanic programs, and some offer apprenticeships and externships.

• Median pay: $47,770
• Top pay: $77,630 or more

Healthcare Careers

1. Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists' primary duties include cleaning teeth, inspecting mouths for signs of disease, and educating patients about proper oral care. This is a popular option for quick degrees that pay well. Dental hygienist training can be completed in as little as two years.

• Median pay: $87,530
• Top pay: $118,400 or more

2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

These healthcare technicians use special ultrasound technology to capture images that help doctors correctly diagnose and treat their patients. Most ultrasound techs have an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

• Median pay: $84,470
• Top pay: $116,300 or more

3. Registered Nurse

With an associate degree in nursing, you could be providing essential patient care in hospitals, nursing facilities, and other healthcare settings. In the future, you could expand your career potential and enhance your job satisfaction through an RN to BSN bridge program.

• Median pay: $86,070
• Top pay: $132,680 or more

4. Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists help patients breathe effectively, whether they are helping with rehabilitation in a private clinic or placing someone on a ventilator to save their life. The pandemic highlighted the critical role of respiratory therapists in hospitals, especially in treating patients with severe respiratory illnesses, including lingering lung damage from COVID-19. The demand for respiratory therapists is high and expected to stay high for some time. Respiratory therapist school can be completed in two years or less.

• Median pay: $77,960
• Top pay: $104,480 or more

5. Radiologic (X-Ray) Technologist

An X-ray technologist operates radiologic medical imaging equipment to produce images and media for diagnostic purposes. These professionals assist patients before and after imaging and then process and review the results to ensure they are clear enough for diagnosis and evaluation by a doctor. Completing a diploma or certificate program in basic X-Ray or radiologic technology can help you prepare for any required licensing exams.

• Median pay: $73,410
• Top pay: $102,380 or more

6. Cardiovascular Technologist/Technician

These specialists perform tests, take ultrasound images, or provide assistance during surgery for heart-related conditions. Cardiovascular technologist training can typically be completed in one to two years.

• Median pay: $66,170
• Top pay: $105,140 or more

7. Surgical Technologist

Preparing operating rooms, organizing surgical equipment, and assisting surgeons during operations are a few of the main roles of this kind of healthcare technician. A certificate or diploma in surgical technology can be completed in 9 to 15 months.

• Median pay: $60,610
• Top pay: $83,150 or more

8. Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse

You do not need a degree to get into this level of nursing, which lets you work alongside doctors and other health professionals after a quick (typically one year) LPN training program. This training teaches basic patient care skills and prepares you for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).

• Median pay: $59,730
• Top pay: $77,870 or more

Technology Careers

1. Software Developer

Although many developers have bachelor's degrees, other successful people in this field begin their careers with under two years of formal training in software development. Practical experience and hands-on skills can be incredibly valuable, often more so than traditional degrees, in building a successful career.

• Median pay: $132,270
• Top pay: $208,620 or more

2. Network Systems Administrator

This technology-based vocation involves managing an organization's data communications systems. Networking training ranges from short certificate and diploma programs to degrees and specific vendor certifications.

• Median pay: $95,360
• Top pay: $148,710 or more

3. Web Developer

Building attractive and functional websites requires plenty of technical skill but not necessarily much schooling, especially if you already enjoy teaching yourself new tricks. This could be one of the quickest careers you can get into in tech. While not required, a formal web development or design education can give you an edge.

• Median pay: $84,960
• Top pay: $157,280 or more

4. Electrical or Electronics Engineering Technician

An electrical or electronics engineering technician helps engineers develop and test equipment and devices related to computers, health monitoring, communications, or navigation. Electronics training can take anywhere from four months to two years. Certificate or diploma programs can take as little as four months, and associate degree programs are typically 18 to 24 months long.

• Median pay: $72,800
• Top pay: $105,320 or more

5. Mechanical Engineering Technician

With an associate degree in mechanical engineering, you can begin assisting mechanical engineers in developing, testing, and manufacturing industrial machines, engines, and tools with moving parts.

• Median pay: $64,020
• Top pay: $96,740 or more

More Great Careers with Short Training

1. Commercial Pilot (Non-Airline)

You don't need a college degree to fly charters or to get paid for jobs like aerial photography or firefighting missions. But you do need certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. You can prepare for certification at an aviation school offering short pilot training.

• Median pay: $113,080
• Top pay: $239,200 or more

2. Police Officer

Requirements vary from agency to agency. In some cases, being in good physical shape and having some criminal justice education can make you a viable candidate for police academy training. Short career training in law enforcement can be a requirement or an asset.

• Median pay: $74,910
• Top pay: $117,100 or more

3. Paralegal or Legal Assistant

These well-paid professionals are trained to support lawyers by handling responsibilities like legal research, administrative tasks, or document drafting. An associate degree in legal assisting or paralegal studies can be completed in two years.

• Median pay: $60,970
• Top pay: $98,830 or more

The Trouble With Many Conventional Degrees

According to a 2021 NCES employment report, more than half of college graduates with a traditional bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or math are not employed in the fields they studied. Science majors often have difficulty finding work in their fields. Success in these areas often requires additional time in school to earn master's or doctorate degrees.

The result is that some college graduates who choose the conventional route end up underemployed. Those who major in science or the liberal arts are especially vulnerable unless they go on to graduate school to increase their opportunities.

Whether traditional college is worth the time and investment often depends on the career you want. You will need to discover if you can achieve your goals without a degree. Often, training at a vocational school is what you need.

Maximize Your Return on Investment at a Trade School

In contrast to most traditional four-year institutions, career and technical schools specialize in putting students on a more defined path to success in the job market. They offer the chance to earn quick degrees or diplomas and complete fast career certification programs. Many of the best, highest-paying entry-level jobs can be attained with only two years or less of focused career education.

That's the real value of short vocational schooling. It's all about getting new opportunities and a positive return on investment (ROI) with the least amount of schooling needed. In this case, ROI refers to the extra amount you can earn in your lifetime as a graduate, after subtracting the cost of schooling and the amount that a typical non-graduate would earn.

Whether looking for easy trades that pay well, a rewarding healthcare career, or the best tech career options, the ROI of graduating from a vocational college or trade school is often very good since you learn marketable skills and technical abilities that employers need. Plus, your time is valuable. So why spend extra time training when there are great careers with little schooling you can get into sooner?